Grimstad Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Picturesque aerial view of town with buildings in sunset
Picturesque aerial view of town with buildings in sunset
Grimstad city seen from a distance, Norway, Europe. Panorama
Street with white wooden residential buildings in Grimstad in Southern Norway
Grimstad

Enjoy idyllic Southern Norway at its best with quiet days in the sun either on the beach, at sea, on one of the isles in the archipelago.

In Grimstad, you can wander around narrow streets and alleyways, enjoy fantastic food at many restaurants and eateries, such as Smag & Behag, go on a pleasant boat trip or follow in the footsteps of writers Knut Hamsun and Henrik Ibsen. If you are travelling with children, there are also plenty of excursions and interesting activities on offer.

Grimstad is a coastal municipality in Aust-Agder and dates back to the Viking Age when it was a market town at the heart of the Vikkilen area. In the Middle Ages, the area was a great fishing town with strong international trading networks.

A visit to Grimstad lets you explore the archipelago and its many isles. Visit the Homborsund Lighthouse, paddle through the Reddal Channel or go camping on Ytre Maløya. You can hire a bicycle and explore the town or take a trip to Dømmesmoen, a beautiful park just outside the town centre. The Oddensenteret shopping centre, situated on the quay, is a haven for a spot of retail therapy.

Literature enthusiasts should visit the Ibsen Museum. It is a short trip to the other towns in Southern Norway, such as the charming town of Arendal or Kristiansand. You can hire a boat in Grimstad and explore more of the breathtaking coastlines around Grimstad.

The closest airport is Kristiansand, approximately 30 minutes’ drive away from Grimstad. Grimstad has no train station but there is a regular bus service. If you’re thinking about visiting Grimstad in the summer, make sure to book in advance, as hotels can get booked up very quickly.

In Grimstad, you can relax and enjoy the beautiful summer days. You can completely unwind at one of the many beaches or explore the archipelago and the surrounding area. The town is well known for its narrow streets and wooden houses, and large parts of the town centre now feature on Norway’s preservation list for towns of national interest.

Home Hotel Grimstad

Home Hotel Grimstad

3 out of 5
Kirkegaten 3 Grimstad
The price is £119 per night from 18 Apr to 19 Apr
£119
18 Apr - 19 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Grimstad. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Ibsenhuset og Grimstad Bymuseum ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (974 reviews)
The location is excellent! (parking was a five minute walk away). The breakfast and dinner were great, and much appreciated, as food was quite expensive in this town. The staff were friendly and helpful. (it was unusually hot weather when we were there, and they gave us a fan for the room)

Reviewed on 28 Aug 2025

Home Hotel Grimstad
Strand Hotel Fevik - by Classic Norway Hotels

Strand Hotel Fevik - by Classic Norway Hotels

4.5 out of 5
Nedre Hausland 80 Grimstad
The price is £117 per night from 19 Apr to 20 Apr
£117
19 Apr - 20 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Grimstad. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Popular attractions Hauslandsanden and Lille Moviga are located ...
Strand Hotel Fevik - by Classic Norway Hotels
Topcamp Bie - Grimstad

Topcamp Bie - Grimstad

1.5 out of 5
85 Arendalsveien Grimstad
The price is £75 per night from 1 May to 2 May
£75
1 May - 2 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this cottage in Grimstad. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions The Ibsen House and Ibsenhuset og Grimstad Bymuseum ...
Topcamp Bie - Grimstad
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Topcamp Bie - Grimstad

Topcamp Bie - Grimstad

1.5 out of 5
85 Arendalsveien Grimstad
Stay at this cottage in Grimstad. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions The Ibsen House and Ibsenhuset og Grimstad Bymuseum ...
Topcamp Bie - Grimstad
5 Person Holiday Home in Grimstad-by Traum

5 Person Holiday Home in Grimstad-by Traum

2 out of 5
Grimstad Agder
Stay at this holiday home in Grimstad. Enjoy free parking. Popular attraction Lundesanden is located nearby.
5 Person Holiday Home in Grimstad-by Traum
Exclusive vacation home right by the sea in southern Norway with its own jetty.

Exclusive vacation home right by the sea in southern Norway with its own jetty.

Agder Agder
Stay at this holiday home in Grimstad. Enjoy laundry facilities. Popular attractions Lillesand and Randviga are located nearby.
Exclusive vacation home right by the sea in southern Norway with its own jetty.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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